Model Rockets
We built Alpha Rockets supplied by Estes Industries, Penose Colorado

Rocket manufacturing assembly line?...

We measured our point of observation in order to collect accurate altitude data
A small object was tossed in the air prior to launch in order to allow participants some practice with our altimeters.

Detail of the alpha rocket ready for launch 
Prof. Ashby connects the electrical launch wires to the rocket engine...
Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
We have liftoff of the Alpha Test Rocket.... "bringing understanding of some physical science concepts to the teachers of the ETRC!"

"Where did it go?.... Man that machine really moves!"

Run guys run...
We attempted to measure height above the launch site at the point that the parachute was deployed using our altimeter  to measure the angle from our fixed observation point. Time was recorded with a stopwatch.
Our data was fairly consistent but some experimental error was due to a 15-20mph north wind.

An ideal plot of Altitude, wind speed, and velocity for our rocket is plotted below.

Launch mass = 50.0 g Diameter = 25.0 millimeters, Initial Cd = 0.750
 Engine: "Estes A8 ", Total Impulse = 2.28 Newton-seconds
 Ejection 3 seconds after launch. Parachute diameter = 260 millimeters.
 Launch site altitude = 75 meters MSL.
 The time (horizontal) axis runs to 30.0 seconds. Each tick mark is 2.0 s
The blue trace is altitude. Full scale is 80 meters. Each tick is 5 m
Burnout, apogee, and ejection are marked with black dots.
The green trace is airspeed. Full scale is 80 meters per second. Each tick is 5.0 m/s
The red trace is thrust. Full scale is 20 Newtons. Each tick is 2.0 N

Flight duration 20.6 seconds.
Max altitude = 70.96 meters (232.8 ft) at 3.5 seconds.
Peak speed = 41.45 meters per second (92.7 MPH).
Maximum acceleration = 19.20 g.
Turn over at 3.5 seconds
Chute deployment at 8.61 m/S, shock = 5.13 g.
Impact at 4.2 m/s.

Model Rocket Prediction Program

Serious Rocket Equation Page! (a lot of useful information)
 
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